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Student From Bethesda Charged in Ricin Case at Georgetown U

LANHAM, Md. (WNEW) — A 19-year-old from Bethesda has been charged with possession of a biological toxin following an investigation by the FBI’s Washington Field Office into the ricin that was found in a Georgetown University dorm room earlier this week.

Daniel Harry Milzman was arrested Friday and appeared in the U.S. District Court for D.C. He is being held pending a detention hearing on March 25.

Charging documents say Milzman, a Georgetown student, told his resident advisor Monday evening that he had made some of the toxic substance. The advisor contacted Georgetown University Counseling Services, which in turn notified the University Police Department.

University officials notified D.C. Fire and EMS early Tuesday morning.

The substance was recovered from the room and tested positive for the toxic substance, according to Georgetown University Chief of Police Jay Gruber.

The university consulted with the DC Department of Public Health, which says anyone exposed to ricin would have presented with severe symptoms within 24 hours. The window passed with no reports of exposure.

The university hired contractors who specialize in decontamination of biological threat agents to clean the room and all areas of McCarthy Hall are now reoccupied.

According to the charging documents, Milzman told the FBI that he had made the ricin in his dorm room, unbeknownst to his roommate, about a month before showing it to his resident advisor. He also said he purchased the materials, including Epsom salt, acetone and castor beans, from local stores including Home Depot and American Plant Company. He claims he found how-to instructions online.